It's that time of year again, yes, it's time for an Easter Holiday. Holidays are the best bit of being a student, weeks and weeks of freedom (and much sleep). As usual, I'm back on the continent, enjoying a change of scenery (though no change in the weather). Although I may look summery in these photos I was in fact quite cold, I was warm enough around midday when the sun was high but as soon as it began to set the cold came back. Naturally it's raining now and I'm confined to the comfort of house. That's enough about the weather though, let's talk clothes!

This dress is one of many I've now accumulated through People Tree sample sales. It's from the People Tree collaboration with Orla Kiely from last Summer, and this is the last one left! Not to mention it's actually a sample, even more unique. It has an adorable house print and lovely white accents, and very importantly: pockets. It's the closest I'm going to get to owning some real Orla Kiely (even those sample sales are way out of my budget). Paired with knee high socks I felt like going on an adventure. Of course I was too shy to leave the safety of the garden but maybe when the rain stops I might venture into the forest.

I'm also entering this outfit to the Style Is... ethical outfit competition, they often run competition and next time I remember in time I'll share all the details with you.

A post wouldn't be complete without a picture of a cat, right?

dress//Orla Kiely for People Tree socks//gift, ethical wool cardigan, hat and sunglasses//thrifted in London
shoes//thrifted in Geneva bracelet and necklace//handmade by Delilah Dust
recycled wood whales and vintage binoculars bag//found at home

Last weekend I finished my room, it feels like an odd thing to say, especially after having lived in this apartment for over a year, but it's finally done. When I first moved in I had a bed (left over from the previous tenants) and a desk (free, from a friend-of-a-friend) but no storage. Over the course of the year I got a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, a bedside table, a new bed and a chair. I also took my old desk apart, painted the table top white and bought a pair of trestles from Ikea to go with it. Now my room is pretty, functional and everything has it's own space. Needless to say, I've been spending a lot more time in it lately thanks to all the work I put in.

To celebrate my new room I thought I'd share some photos I took of it, I hope you like it as much as I do.

For several nights I've dreamed of forests and large, open fields. I can't wait to go home and feel at peace, the city so often overwhelms.

Pictures from this weekend, taken in my new chair. I found it on ebay with 10 minutes left to go and no bids, discovered it was only a couple of blocks away so bid the minimum and got it. I'll take some better photos later, it has a great shape.

I've also changed my blog layout, I might bring back the flowers but for now I like it as it is, clean yet soft. The follow button on the side is actually a drop down list of places you can find me, including instagram which I don't think I've linked to before. Next on my list is updating my About page.

In honour of Fairtrade Fortnight I thought I would put together a nice Fairtrade-y outfit. The dress is one I picked up at the People Tree sample sale in January (I was intending to go to their sample sale earlier this month also but I was caught up in my work at the time). It's from the A/W 2009 collection, made from handwoven cotton, and super lovely. Also looking back at these photos I look quite a lot like Alice in Wonderland (is that just me? might be just me). As it's still quite cold and the neckline is a bit low, I've been wearing the dress with my American Apparel turtle neck.

I've also been wearing my new things from Deliah Dust quite a lot, I've got three necklaces that I switch up from day to day but I wear the bracelet non-stop. They are all the perfect balance of being interesting without getting in the way. Also who doesn't love little bees?

This year I made a resolution to stop buying cheap, low quality clothing from high street chains and to buy only second hand, handmade, vintage or otherwise sustainable clothes. Of course I'm not going to throw out the clothes I already own, instead I'll try to spend less often and then I'll be able to spend a little bit more on pieces that will last longer.

So there's my babble about Fairtrade and sustainability, if you're interested in all that you should go read more and get involved. Sorry about the wordy post.